2019 Vol.13 Issue 6 December - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 2020 Gem Lake Budget Finalized • There was a $4,000 decrease in the budget over 2019, due to the completion of the Comprehensive Plan, required every 10 years by the Metropolitan Council. • The City’s fiscal disparities revenue is projected to increase 29.56% to $14,179 The 2020 budget will be balanced without using reserves. The largest source of revenue for the General Fund is property taxes. The Total General Fund budget of $519,138 is an increase of 11.67% over the year before. The total property tax levy for 2020 will be $532,923. This figure combines the general fund levy and the debt levy and is an increase of 21.952% over the year before. The average residential home value for a property in Gem Lake increased by 9.4% for 2020. The Median value of a home here increased from $283,800 to $310,600. Based on previous years, the City of Gem Lake received about 32 cents of every property tax dollar. Last year, 40 cents went to Ramsey County, 21 cents went to the School District and 7 cents went to other agencies, such as the local watersheds. It is unclear, how much the school district’s cut will increase after this November’s historic school referendum vote. For questions about the 2020 Gem Lake budget, contact Gloria Tessier at Heritage Hall. See page 6 for contact information. The Final 2020 Budget for the City of Gem Lake was approved at the December 17th City Council meeting, when the General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy were both adopted. The 2020 General Fund Operating Budget was approved at $519,138, which is up from $464,873 for 2019. The General Fund Property Tax Levy was established at $451,088. The Debt Levy for Heritage Hall was established at $81,835. Noteworthy changes over the year before are as follows: • The 2020 Budget includes an increase of $2,275 for election costs. • There was a 15.67% increase in the fire protection services budget, due to projected increases in personnel and equipment costs for the City of White Bear. • The law enforcement budget was increased 10.13%, based on the contract with the City of White Bear Lake. (Equipment and personnel costs have primarily led to the budget increase.) • The road maintenance budget was increased by $15,000 to allow for annual boulevard tree trimming. • The addition of a part-time inspector to help monitor and inspect new development and construction adds $14,579 to the budget • Money was budgeted in the amount of $30,000 to construct a sidewalk or path along County Road E, from LaBore Road to Big Fox. • There was an increase of $14,500 budgeted for salt/sand and plowing costs, based on last winters snowfall totals. • There was a $5,000 decrease in projected revenues from building permits, due to the progress of the Gem Lake Villas project.